Johan Jakob Nervander

During the period 1832-1836, Nervander went on a long journey to central and southern Europe, funded by a scholarship for traveling awarded by the Royal Academy of Turku. During this journey, he became interested in geomagnetism upon meeting Wilhelm Eduard Weber and Carl Friedrich Gauss in Göttingen on his travels in Central Europe. From Stockholm, he returned to Helsinki through Saint Petersburg. In Saint Petersburg, he met the academician Adolph Theodor Kupffer, the director of the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences, who supported Nervander's idea to have a magnetic observatory established in Helsinki. The new, necessary houses were built in Kaisaniemi Park, Helsinki, and Nervander was appointed the first director of the observatory. Starting from 1844, the Helsinki data series (1844–1912) is one of the oldest systematic geomagnetic observation series in the world. In 1846, he was appointed professor in physics at the University of Helsinki, succeeding Gustaf Gabriel Hällström. After Nervander's death, Henrik Gustaf Borenius continued as director at the observatory.

Johan Jakob Nervander studied at University of Helsinki and Katedralskolan i Åbo. The recorded working language is Finnish and Swedish. Alexander von Humboldt, Hans Christian Ørsted and Carl Friedrich Gauss are recorded as an influence. Places of work recorded in the authority are Helsinki and Turku. Employment is recorded with University of Helsinki. Positions recorded include docent and professor. Distinctions recorded are Demidov Prize, Order of St.

• Name — Johan Jakob Nervander • Born — 23 February 1805 • Birthplace — Uusikaupunki • Place of death — Helsinki • Field — Physics • Awards — Demidov Prize

He was employed by University of Helsinki. Recorded positions include docent and professor. He belonged to Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences, Fauna and Flora Society, Saturday Society, Finnish Literature Society and Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters. He worked at Helsinki and Turku.

Johan Jakob Nervander is recorded as having received Demidov Prize, Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class and honorary member of the Physics Association (Frankfurt am Main, Germany).